The International Motorcyclists Federation (FIM) exhibited at the Moto e Auto d’Epoca Bologna a special exhibition space for the ‘jewels’ of the Amicale Spirit of Speed. This is an association that represents the heritage of important international collectors, with more than 5,000 competition motorcycles perfectly preserved.
The aim of the FIM was to promote the FIM Heritage Programme, an initiative that aims to preserve and enhance the great heritage of racing motorcycles of immeasurable sporting and historical value, in particular as part of the celebration of the 120 anniversary of the FIM.
The certification issued by the FIM, after careful analysis by the Technical Committee composed of FIM and Amicale Spirit of Speed experts, includes a unique identification number, a digital certificate and a plate, which testify to authenticity and identify owners, large collectors and museums can use to confirm the authenticity of their motorcycle. All information regarding the technical and historical characteristics of the motorcycle will be available via a unique QR code.
Until now, certified competition motorcycles are machines that have competed in national, international and world championships (Grand Prix World Championship, Superbike and Supersport, Endurance, RoadRacing and all previous championships), but in the future this will be extended to off-road and other disciplines.
The stand was animated by ‘Walking between the Stars’ with stories and details about the collectors’ bikes on display and some of the iconic motorsport figures who rode or worked on them.
Franco Uncini, 1982 Grand Prix World Champion, told with genuine emotion the story of his Suzuki, his five race victories and his world title victory. Claudio Lusuardi meticulously described how he built the bike with which he successfully competed in both the Italian Championship and the World Championship in 1982 and 1983.
Andrea Bonassoli, an expert technician in MotoGP and World Superbike teams, immediately gathered the enthusiasts and explained details of the work he did on the Cagiva 500, a gem for those years and technically innovative. Others followed each other at the microphone, Stefano Caracchi, former racing driver but above all son of Rino Caracchi, a frame builder who, together with the historical engineer Nepoti, founded the legendary Ducati NCR team and crowned the Borgo Panigale company with great successes from the 1960s to the 1990s .
Attentive and passionate fans followed the lives of the champions while also admiring the precious motorcycles on display. This includes a 1976 Harley-Davidson 350 GP, Walter Villa’s former official motorcycle, restored and used for the world title in the 350 class, with an 80 hp two-stroke twin-cylinder engine that reached a speed of 260 km/h.
The 2022 Kalex Triumph Moto2, was the bike of the Mooney VR46 Racing Team ridden by Celestino Vietti, winner of 3 Grand Prix, a 3-cylinder 145 HP engine with a top speed of 300 km/h. The 1993 Cagiva C-593 GP 500 that John Kocinski and Doug Chandler were allowed to ride, enviably preserved by a Turin collector, attracted much admiration. This unique example was the first to introduce innovations such as the quick shift gearbox and telescopic exhausts, 165 HP and a top speed of 300 km/h.
Suzuki Yamaha 500 YZR Replica, an accurate replica of the legendary 500 two-stroke, made after four years of work in 2023. Suzuki SERT GSX-R 1000 EWC 1986 Endurance World Championship winning machine ridden by Vincent Philippe / Keiichi Kitagawa / Matthieu Lagrive.
It has 175 HP and a top speed of 320 km/h. Villa 50 GP from 1983 – 50cc with which Claudio Lusuardi participated in the world championship in 1983, 20 HP engine and an astonishing top speed of 210 km/h. An excited Lusuardi wanted to climb on and get into the cockpit. Aprilia RSV4 SMR WSBK from 2018, the bike of Lorenzo Savadori who participated in the World Superbike Championship, with a 235 hp V4 engine.
All information about the FIM Heritage Program can be found at www.FIM-Heritage.com.
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.